B.C. Wildfires 2023

The McDougall Creek wildfire ripped through the Bear Creek area of West Kelowna. There is very little left for residents to salvage. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

VIDEO: ‘Nothing left’: West Kelowna resident reveals shocking wildfire damage

The Bear Creek Road resident escorts Black Press onto fire damaged property

  • Aug 30, 2023
The McDougall Creek wildfire ripped through the Bear Creek area of West Kelowna. There is very little left for residents to salvage. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
File photo. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

Extreme weather is sending Okanagan migrant farmworkers home early

Fires forced hundreds of workers to evacuate from West Kelowna and Lake Country

File photo. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)
A hot spot from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burns in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wind whips up more wildfire anxiety in parts of B.C. as rainfall stalls

No measurable precipitation at Kelowna or Salmon Arm airports: Environment Canada

A hot spot from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burns in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
New wildfires, 13 in total, were caused by lightning strikes in the Broughton Archipelago and Call Inlet areas. Photo from BC Wildfire Service

Lightning sparks 13 new wildfires on islands northwest of Campbell River

Location primarily in Broughton Archipelago, Knight Inlet areas

  • Aug 30, 2023
New wildfires, 13 in total, were caused by lightning strikes in the Broughton Archipelago and Call Inlet areas. Photo from BC Wildfire Service
Skyler Punnett’s new illistration, ‘The Crow That Ate The Wind,’ honours the first responders who fight wildfires. (Skyler Punnett)

Penticton artist honours firefighters nationwide

Proceeds from the work’s sales set to go to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Skyler Punnett’s new illistration, ‘The Crow That Ate The Wind,’ honours the first responders who fight wildfires. (Skyler Punnett)
Seen in a long exposure photograph, lightning flashes over Siskiyou County, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Lightning pushes B.C. wildfire count past 400, rain may help pushback

47 new blazes recorded in the past day as weather a blessing and a curse

Seen in a long exposure photograph, lightning flashes over Siskiyou County, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
(Mamas for Mamas/Submitted)

‘Immense honour’: Trudeau recognizes Kelowna charity’s wildfire relief efforts

Justin Trudeau visited Mamas for Mamas on Kelowna wildfire trip to thank those on front lines

(Mamas for Mamas/Submitted)
Smoky skies have plagued the Okanagan for weeks due to wildfires in the area. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Smoky skies cloud B.C. air quality

Another advisory in place for several regions of province

Smoky skies have plagued the Okanagan for weeks due to wildfires in the area. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Boo enjoying his ice bath. (Kicking Horse Refuge)

Hot days, cool treats for Golden’s Boo the bear

Keeping Boo safe and cool has been a priority for the refuge

Boo enjoying his ice bath. (Kicking Horse Refuge)
Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon has reopened Aug. 29, 2023 after it was closed for more than a week because of the Kookipi Creek wildfire, which is estimated to be 16,961 hectares as of Aug. 29, 2023. (BC Wildfire Service)

Highway 1 reopens through the Fraser Canyon after wildfire closure

Kookipi Creek wildfire nearly 17,000 hectares

Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon has reopened Aug. 29, 2023 after it was closed for more than a week because of the Kookipi Creek wildfire, which is estimated to be 16,961 hectares as of Aug. 29, 2023. (BC Wildfire Service)
Lightning is believed to be the cause of a fire sparked near Sooke Monday evening. (BC Wildfire Service map)

Lightning storm sparks wildfire near Sooke

Fire still classified as out of control

Lightning is believed to be the cause of a fire sparked near Sooke Monday evening. (BC Wildfire Service map)
Lightning Strikes on Aug 28 caused 11 new wildfires, including five in the Sayward region. Pictured here is the Newcastle Creek fire, which crews have been battling since May 29. Photo from BC Wildfire Service.

Lightning strikes cause 11 new wildfires in Strathcona Park and Sayward

Tlools Lake fire listed 60 hectares largest among 11 new wildfires

  • Aug 29, 2023
Lightning Strikes on Aug 28 caused 11 new wildfires, including five in the Sayward region. Pictured here is the Newcastle Creek fire, which crews have been battling since May 29. Photo from BC Wildfire Service.
Lightning is believed to be the cause of a fire sparked near Sooke Monday evening. (BC Wildfire Service map)

Lightning storm sparks wildfire near Sooke

Fire still classified as out of control

Lightning is believed to be the cause of a fire sparked near Sooke Monday evening. (BC Wildfire Service map)
A warning sign about fire risk is seen as smoke from wildfires fills the air in Kelowna, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Scorching heat ignites fresh wildfire concern in northeastern B.C.

South central region prays rain helps, with just over 380 active blazes burning B.C.

A warning sign about fire risk is seen as smoke from wildfires fills the air in Kelowna, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Smoke settles over Okanagan Lake Saturday, Aug. 26 with Fintry in the background. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Air quality advisory continues for much of B.C.

Smoky skies bulletin issued Monday, Aug. 28

Smoke settles over Okanagan Lake Saturday, Aug. 26 with Fintry in the background. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Scotch Creek/Lee Creek firefighter Darren Reynolds looks over the remains of his North Shuswap home that was destroyed Friday, Aug. 18, by the Bush Creek East wildfire. (CSRD image)

North Shuswap firefighter unwavering after losing home, fire hall to wildfire

‘This is my neighbourhood’: CSRD firefighter Darren Reynolds recounts harrowing afternoon

Scotch Creek/Lee Creek firefighter Darren Reynolds looks over the remains of his North Shuswap home that was destroyed Friday, Aug. 18, by the Bush Creek East wildfire. (CSRD image)
Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. As Canada struggles through its worst fire season in recorded history, a new survey suggests protecting forests remains one issue that unites most Canadians no matter who they are or where they live.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Heat warnings in B.C. as temperature records fall, wildfire fight continues

Communities under a heat warning: Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge, Terrace

Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. As Canada struggles through its worst fire season in recorded history, a new survey suggests protecting forests remains one issue that unites most Canadians no matter who they are or where they live.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
<div>With climate change expected to worsen wildfires in the future, some firefighters say gruelling labour conditions and associated mental health challenges are taking a toll on the workforce. Firefighters wait to pass through an RCMP roadblock as the McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Firefighters battle many challenges tied to deadly wilderness blazes

Burnout an issue, as mental health, labour struggles common on wildfire front lines

<div>With climate change expected to worsen wildfires in the future, some firefighters say gruelling labour conditions and associated mental health challenges are taking a toll on the workforce. Firefighters wait to pass through an RCMP roadblock as the McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
McDougall Creek wildfire rages across West Kelowna on Aug. 17. (Contributed)

More homes burnt from McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna

Number of properties burned in the Central Okanagan has increased from 181 to 189

McDougall Creek wildfire rages across West Kelowna on Aug. 17. (Contributed)
Port McNeill Fire Rescue sent three firefighters, and also one from Port Alice. (Port McNeill Fire Rescue Facebook photo)

North Island firefighters return home from fighting wildfires in Kelowna

PHFR thanked the District of Port Hardy and the whole North Island for all their support

Port McNeill Fire Rescue sent three firefighters, and also one from Port Alice. (Port McNeill Fire Rescue Facebook photo)